As I say, I do not think that this influence in most cases has much to do with enthusiasm for the “cause” or any mere lust of “battle” (happily indeed for the most part they do not for a moment realize what modern battle means).  It is simply escape from the hateful conditions of present-day commercialism and its hideous wage-slavery into something like the normal life of young manhood—­a life in the open under the wide sky, blood-stirring enterprise, risk if you will, co-operation and camaraderie.  These are the inviting, beckoning things, the things which swing the balance down—­even though hardships, low pay, and high chances of injury and death are thrown in the opposite scale.

Nevertheless, and despite these other considerations, there does certainly remain, in this as in other wars, a fair number of men among those who enlist who are bona fide inspired by some Ideal which they feel to be worth fighting for.  It may be Patriotism or love of their country; it may be “to put down militarism”; it may be Religion or Honour or what not.  And it is fine that it should be so.  They may in cases be deluded, or mistaken about facts; the ideal they fight for may be childish (as in the mediaeval Crusades); still, even so it is fine that people should be willing to give their lives for an idea—­that they should be capable of being inspired by a vision.  Humanity has at least advanced as far as that.

I suppose patriotism, or love of country—­when it comes to its full realization, as in the case of invasion by an enemy, is the most powerful and tremendous of such ideals, sweeping everything before it.  It represents something ingrained in the blood.  In that case all the other motives for fighting—­economic or what not—­disappear and are swallowed up.  Material life and social conditions under a German government might externally be as comfortable and prosperous as under our own, but for most of us something in the soul would wither and sicken at the thought.

Anyhow, whatever the motives may be which urge individuals into war—­whether sheer necessity or patriotism, or the prospect of wages or distinction, or the love of adventure—­a nation or a people in order to fight must have a “cause” to fight for, something which its public opinion, its leaders, and its Press can appropriate—­some phrase which it can inscribe on its shield:  be it “Country” or “God” or “Freedom from Tyranny,” or “Culture versus Barbarism.”  It must have some such cry, else obviously it could not fight with any whole-heartedness or any force.

The thing is a psychological necessity.  Every one, when he gets into a quarrel, justifies himself and accuses the other party.  He puts his own conduct in an ideal light, and the conduct of his opponent in the reverse!  Doubtless if we were all angels and could impartially enter into all the origins of the quarrel, we should not fight, because to “understand” would be to “forgive”; but as we have not